The Central Criminal Court heard Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley (pictured) was found in the living room of his home in Edenderry on February 16, 2014 - four days after his death. He died from injuries to his upper body and head.

Opening the case for the prosecution, Patrick Treacy SC told the jury of eight men and four women that this case was one that could be described as a joint enterprise.

"The case is that all three of them were intrinsically involved in the act of murdering Thomas Dooley," he said.

The jury was told that they would hear that Mr Dooley was seen "alive and well" on February 11, 2014, when he received meals on wheels. It would be alleged that the three accused left a house party in Edenderry at 5am on February 12 and went to where Mr Dooley was living.

Mr Dooley was subsequently found on Sunday, February 16, with severe head injuries.

Counsel told the jury it will be alleged there was an attempt to set the armchair and Mr Dooley's clothing on fire.

The court was told that a significant feature of the case will be the items retrieved by the gardaí, including a wooden baseball bat, Mr Dooley's sleeping medication and clothes belonging to one of the accused.